Oakland Rain, a folk‑driven Norwegian duo, is no stranger to full‑circle moments.

Identical twins Charlotte and Maren Wallevik Hansen spent their formative years listening to the greats, including Judy Collins, thanks to their grandparents’ record collection. 

Serendipitously, Collins’ management heard about Oakland Rain, passed the word along, and the sisters were invited to support her. They quickly said, “Yes.”  

Oakland Rain will open for Collins on her “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour” at the Musical Instrument Museum on Monday, Oct. 5, and Tuesday, Oct. 6.

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Since 2024, Oakland Rain has been touring the United States with Collins. Their bond is a featured part of their award-winning documentary, “The Road to the Ryman,” which has evolved into a feature-length documentary about Collins’ life in the works. 

“She has been really wonderful about advocating for having us join her shows,” Charlotte said about Collins. “We do not take any of it for granted.”

The duo’s sound is built around sister harmonies; a tradition they study closely. Their influences aren’t limited to women. Besides Collins, they admire Simon & Garfunkel, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Alison Krauss, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Aurora, a Norwegian folk‑pop artist.

“Things that were relevant in the ’60s are still relevant today,” Maren said. “We get inspired when we watch Judy from behind the stage. So many people have paved the way, and to acknowledge that is really important. 

“That’s the meaning behind ‘Sister Hymn’—singing about who paved the way before us so we do what we can.  Don’t turn to apathy when things get hard. It covers a lot.”

The duo sees that lineage as part of their responsibility as artists. 

“We definitely aren’t the first ones to experience these things as humans and to write about them,” Maren said. “To know that so many people have paved the way — and to acknowledge that — is very important.

“The song ‘Sister Hymn,’ that was inspired by history and women’s rights and social issues — daring to speak up and not turn to apathy when things get hard.”

The Walleviks, 30, grew up in Norway but spent their sophomore year of high school in Pacific Grove, California. Their Denver-born mother moved to California for a research job. 

That year shaped the twins’ writing more than they had anticipated. They began journaling in English, absorbing American folk references. 

“It really shaped us,” Charlotte said about California. “That was the beginning of our band. We jumped into a new culture. It was very formative and fun and challenging, with the language.”

The short stint in California inspired the moniker Oakland Rain. “It sounded better than Pacific Grove Rain,” Maren said with a laugh.

Jokes aside, the Oakland Rain name reflects both places. 

“We really liked the name ‘Oakland,’ and it was close enough that we could consider it in the area,” Maren said. “We also have an oak tree forest right by our house,” Maren said. “We’ve been there walking a lot when writing songs and getting inspired.” 

Their English-language debut record, “Twin Flames Part One: The Evergreen,” is the first half of a planned double album that ends with 2027’s “Twin Flames II: Heavenly Blue.” 

“The Evergreen” focuses on realism, growth, and the less-polished aspects of adulthood. One of the album’s anchor tracks, “I’m Scared of Everything,” directly confronts anxiety. 

“It takes on a lot about realism, growth, longevity and patience, and takes on a lot of brutal experiences in life,” Charlotte said.

“Traditional folk/country music from the United States inspired that. We’ve been figuring out how to find the glimmers [in life] so it’s not so overwhelming.”  

Maren added that the duo sees honesty as essential to their genre. 

“We want to write about the whole spectrum of emotions, including grief and the difficult emotions,” she said.  

“We’re just very grateful,” Charlotte said. “We do not take any of it for granted.”

The connection isn’t framed as destiny — just a detail that makes the present moment more textured. 

“It’s very much a full-circle moment.”